Brandon Woodruff Won't Need Shoulder Surgery but 2026 Return Remains Uncertain
Woodruff says he can avoid surgery on his shoulder, but per Casey Drottar's report for MLB.com, a return in 2026 is only a faint hope.
Brandon Woodruff says he won't need shoulder surgery — which is the good news. The less encouraging part, per Casey Drottar at MLB.com, is that a return in 2026 remains only a faint hope, leaving the Milwaukee Brewers without one of their rotation anchors for the foreseeable future.
What exactly the recovery timeline looks like, and what milestones Woodruff would need to hit to make even that faint hope realistic, remains unconfirmed in the report.
Why it matters for Milwaukee
The Brewers have been navigating rotation depth all season. Jacob Misiorowski flagged fatigue after a recent six-inning start, with manager Pat Murphy noting he looked worn down — though no IL move was announced at that time. The weekend rotation was being slotted tentatively around Miley, Henderson, and Drohan. A bullpen described as depleted forced a starter into extended duty in a recent outing. That's the operational backdrop against which Woodruff's long-term absence sits.
What we don't know yet
No timetable has been attached to Woodruff's recovery. The report characterizes a 2026 return as a faint hope, not a target or a plan — so the range of outcomes here is genuinely wide. Whether any further evaluation or treatment steps are planned has not been reported.
More on the Brewers wire.
Woodruff avoids surgery but 2026 return remains uncertain
The Brewers righty confirms no operation needed on his shoulder, though a comeback next season is far from guaranteed.
Misiorowski Flags Fatigue After Grinding Through 6-Inning Start
The Brewers righty admitted to an off-body day and his manager observed reduced rhythm and fatigue, raising mild concern about his workload.
Brewers First to 80 Wins, Edge Braves 2-1
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Depleted Brewers Bullpen Forces Senzatela Into Extended Outing
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Brewers Welcome Back 'Coop' in Official Club Post
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